Special Bardic Abilities
Here's the chapter on special skills. I got myself arrested testing the defiant scream, too, dang it. Stoopid passerby.


Special Bardic Skills and Abilities

Glancing over in the corner you notice two bards having a very animated conversation, laughing loudly and trying very hard not to spill their drinks. The one on the left holds his stout mug high, and you could swear it just said, "DRINK ME!". The other bard howls with laughter.

Noticing you staring, the one with the mug calls you over. Glancing around the bar to make sure no one is listening, he leans close to you and whispers, "Just joined, didja? Anybody happen to mention the special abilities you get to learn along the way?" He waits for an answer, but seeing the blank look on your face he continues quickly. "I shouldn't really be telling you this, but you'll learn about it eventually. There are quite a few things that our guild can do that the others can't. Some are great for entertaining, some help with communicating, and there's one that could even save your life, if you do it right."

He continues, "What you just saw me do was a little ventriloquism. Once you know a fair bit of vocal ability you'll be able to learn a few ways to throw your voice. Here's another one." He points to his friend in the corner who looks at you and whistles a complicated series of notes that you know means something significant, but you can't really tell what. He winks at you and returns to his beer.

"That there was signal whistling. Over time you can use it to send messages to one person or a whole group. And if you're very skilled, you can do it secretly, too. There's a piercing whistle technique that you can use to distract critters when you're in trouble, too. Pretty handy" Glancing at his friend he says, "Rhett, show him the bluff."

Rhett's eyes widen suddenly as he points in the other direction. He shouts, "Dragon! Dragon! There's a dragon over there!" You can't help but look, but when you turn back he's gone! His friend laughs again. "And that was just one of the five bluffs. Bards are really very clever", he lowers his voice again, "but don't spread that around, ok?"

Just then his friend, Rhett, slips out of hiding and looks you in the face and gives you a wink. With a sly smirk, he reaches toward your ear and returns a moment later holding a silver Lirum in his fingertips. "Hey, I been looking fer that!", he says and pockets the coin.

"Now for my favorite trick - the defiant scream! Cover your ears, now."

Before you can register the warning the air suddenly fills with a defiant scream that thrums painfully with waves of pure sound. You cringe as the sudden barrage of pure, unadultered sound sends waves of pain shooting through your skull. Several of the patrons clap their hands to their ears and drop to their knees. A passerby runs off, calling for Brody to be arrested for disturbing the peace!

The bartender screams from behind the bar, "Brody you crazy bard! That's the third time this week! Out! OUT I SAY! You're cut off!!" Brody quickly empties his mug, gives you a wink, and drags his friend out the door, leaving you wondering if joining the bard guild was a good idea after all.

- posted by Chris @ 8:30 AM